Rupert Fiehler

Rupert Friedrich Heinrich Fiehler, 96, of Cape Girardeau passed away Monday, April 28, 2014, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 27, 1918, in Frohna, Mo., son of Benjamin G. and Frieda Miesner Fiehler. He and Lillian Flora Mangels were married March 7, 1942, in Azusa, Calif. She preceded him in death Nov. 6, 1982. He then married Hazel Steckler Kelley on Nov. 26, 1983. She preceded him in death March 8, 2010.

Rupert was a veteran of World War II, having been inducted into the U.S. Army on Nov. 14, 1942, and honorably discharged Feb. 24, 1945. While in the Army he served as a radio operator and was shipped to the African Theater and the Italian Campaign. Rupert received shrapnel wounds Feb. 8, 1944, at Mount Cassino Monastery and a second time June 1, 1944, at Anzio Beach. He was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, European-African Theater medal with one star and the Good Conduct Medal.

After returning from the service, Rupert worked as a parts man at the former Schneider Equipment Co. in Cape Girardeau and the former Brennecke Chevrolet in Jackson.

Rupert was a life member of Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Post 158 in Jackson and the VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau. He had served on the board of the Jackson Senior Center and Cape County Transit. He was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson and a charter member and present member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

Rupert was a kind, mild-mannered, soft-spoken, Christian man with a sweet smile. Upon his retirement he moved to Chateau Girardeau where he developed his talent in woodworking and specifically intarsia. He was also an avid gardener who enjoyed his flowers.

Loving survivors include three daughters, Joyce (Tom) Miller of Cape Girardeau, Elaine (Ken) Rongey of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Connie (Doug) Randol of Tilsit; six grandchildren, Kara (Dennis) Stockard, Matthew Miller, Eric Rongey, Andrea (Tim) Dudley, Casey (Kevin) Brunke and Clay Randol and his fiancee, Erin Fields; and four great-grandchildren.

Also a brother, Clennon Fiehler of Chino, Calif.; a half brother, Howard (Vivian) Fiehler of Frohna; a stepson, Michael Kelley of Cape Girardeau; a stepdaughter, Vickie (Brad) Kasten of Jackson; five stepgrandchildren, Gretchen (Mark) Clardy, Ryan Kasten, Kelley Kasten, Laura Kelley and Shannon (Denny) Putnam of Dexter, Mo.; and four great-stepgrandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by a half brother, Edward Fiehler.

Friends may call from 1 p.m. until time of service today at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Paul Short officiating. Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Missouri Veterans Home or Southeast Hospice.

Online condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.